ENGLAND will walk out at Headingley today for the fourth Test with strict instructions to stop living in the past and concentrate on building for a brighter future....

ENGLAND will walk out at Headingley today for the fourth Test with strict instructions to stop living in the past and concentrate on building for a brighter future.

The build-up to this week's clash has been dominated with the 20th anniversary of Ian Botham's heroics, taking the focus off the present side's attempt to at least claim a consolation success over their impressive Australian opponents.

But returning captain Nasser Hussain, who has missed the last two Tests with a broken little finger sustained against the bowling of Jason Gillespie at Edgbaston, is determined his side will not also become nostalgic about that golden summer and instead look ahead to the battle for places in this winter's tour squads.

"What happened in 1981 has no bearing on this side," stressed Hussain. "We want to put right the way we haven't performed this summer.

"We showed an inkling of what we're capable of at Trent Bridge, we had our chance there and we didn't take it - we now have to take a step further."

Having surrendered the Ashes in Nottingham and with two back-to-back Tests remaining, there could be a danger of England's summer ending in anti-climax after the high expectations at the beginning of the season.

However, with the tour parties due to be announced on August 28, just a day after the scheduled end of the Oval Test, England are hopeful the jostling for positions should be enough of an incentive.

"The road doesn't end just because the Ashes are gone - we have to carry on and try and continue to get better," he explained.

"We have important tours coming up and things for the selectors to think about, so these are two very important Test matches.

"We have to get better, it's as simple as that. We've shown signs of recovery and competed against every other side in the world, but we haven't done it against Australia."

While England attempt to find a formula for success, Australia's only dilemma is how to cajole Ricky Ponting back into form after a succession of low scores in the opening three Tests.

Preferred at No 3 to Justin Langer, who lost his place to Damien Martyn, at the beginning of the series, Ponting has looked a shadow of the player who dominated the recent one-day triangular tournament.

Stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist, filling in for Steve Waugh after he tore a calf muscle during the Trent Bridge triumph, has earmarked Ponting's form as a key problem to overcome as they attempt to claim a 5-0 whitewash.

"We're going to continue backing him at No 3," claimed Gilchrist. "It's a tough position to play in, particularly over here with the ball swinging around early on, but we've let him know we're still confident in him."

Australia have replaced Waugh with debutant Simon Katich while England must choose between seamers Alan Mullally and Richard Johnson or off-spinner Robert Croft for the final place in their attack.